JEE Main · 2022 · Shift-ImediumSALT-032

White precipitate of AgCl dissolves in aqueous ammonia solution due to formation of:

Salt Analysis · Class 12 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

White precipitate of \ceAgCl\ce{AgCl} dissolves in aqueous ammonia solution due to formation of:

Options
  1. a

    \ce[Ag(NH3)4]Cl2\ce{[Ag(NH3)4]Cl2}

  2. b

    \ce[Ag(Cl)2(NH3)2]\ce{[Ag(Cl)2(NH3)2]}

  3. c

    \ce[Ag(NH3)2]Cl\ce{[Ag(NH3)2]Cl}

  4. d

    \ce[Ag(NH3)Cl]Cl\ce{[Ag(NH3)Cl]Cl}

Correct Answerc

\ce[Ag(NH3)2]Cl\ce{[Ag(NH3)2]Cl}

Detailed Solution

Step 1: Notice the reactant and the product characteristics Silver chloride (\ceAgCl\ce{AgCl}) is a white, curdy precipitate. Aqueous ammonia (\ceNH4OH\ce{NH4OH}) is added to it.

Step 2: Chemical Reaction \ceAgCl\ce{AgCl} readily dissolves in aqueous ammonia because it forms a highly stable soluble coordination complex with ammonia ligands. Silver(I), having a d10d^{10} configuration, preferentially forms linear complexes with a coordination number of 2.

\ceAgCl(s)+2NH3(aq)>[Ag(NH3)2]Cl(aq)\ce{AgCl(s) + 2NH3(aq) -> [Ag(NH3)2]Cl(aq)}

Step 3: Identify the complex The soluble complex specifically formed is Diamminesilver(I) chloride, denoted structurally as \ce[Ag(NH3)2]Cl\ce{[Ag(NH3)2]Cl}.

Conclusion: The solubility is due strictly to the formation of \ce[Ag(NH3)2]Cl\ce{[Ag(NH3)2]Cl}.

Key Points to Remember:

  • The silver ion (\ceAg+\ce{Ag+}) primarily adopts a coordination number of 2, leading to linear complexes.
  • \ceAgBr\ce{AgBr} is only sparingly soluble in ammonia, and \ceAgI\ce{AgI} is completely insoluble, providing a key method for separating or differentiating halide precipitates.

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